Sound controlled recorder and reproducer



1946- G. A. HARRINGTON 2,391,397

SOUND CONTROLLED RECORDER AND REPRODUCER 7 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed March 22, 1944.

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Jan. 1, 1946.

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SOUND CONTROLLED RECORDER AND REPRODUCER 7 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed March 22, 1944 6524/20 fl. Hazel/v6 7'0.

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SOUND CONTROLLED RECORDER AND REPRODUCER Filed March 22, 1944 7 Sheets-Sheet 7 GEE/QED A flqze/wero/v.

I Patented Jan. I, 1946 SOUND CONTROLLED RECORDER; AND BEPRODUCER Gerard A. Harrington, Baltimore, Md. Application March 22, 1944, Serial No. 527.561

(Cl. fill-100.4)

11 Claims.

This invention relates to phonographic record- 'ing and reproducing devices and more particularly tothose adapted for recording and reproducing sounds such as dictation and the like, on a flexible cylindrical recording shell adapted to be recordably impressed by the needle point or stylus. Ithas among-its objects to provide a device so constructed and arranged that the recording and reproducing mechanism may be located at a distance from the dictator's position while under his complete remote control. It also has among its objects to provide arrangements in the device that may be easily and quickly shifted from recording to reproducing position or vice verse. by remote control. A further object of this invention is to provide an apparatus with back spacing or repeat mechanism. Another object of this invention is to provide the apparatus with feed screw mechanism that can be engaged electrically. vide a plurality of styli in conjunction with the recording shell, that may be alternately or consecutively operated for recording or reproduction. Another object of the device is to use an inconspicuous and concealed stylus and reproducing mechanism. A further object is to provide a mechanism of the expanding arbor type for holding and rotating the flexible recording cylinders. Another object of the device is to provide and attach a correction arrangement operable from a remote point which will make suitable notations and marks on correction cards through the employment of electrical charges. A still further object is to provide a thin light impressionable cylinder with the dictation impressed thereon which can be transportated freely without danger of breakage, and avoid the scraping and shaving process conventionally employed for the renewal of the recording surface. In such case the material employed is preferably of a thermoplas-' tie nature that can be heated and ironed smooth with practically no loss of material, to impair or decrease its further use. Still another object of the device is to provide an integral ironing device for use in connection with the recording and reproducing mechanism that will remove the dictation from the cylinder face. A further ob- Ject of the apparatus is to provide a device which will record a telephone conversation without disturbing or mechanically connecting to the wiring in a telephone circuit. An additional object oi the apparatus is to include the various improvements of this invention and at the same time improve the structural appearance and com venience of the equipment. A still iurther ob A further object is to project of the invention is to include in this device the means for enabling the recording to start operating automatically as soon' as it is talked into, without requiring manual operation of the switches therefor, and at the same time delay the recording of the speech until the stylus and cylinder attain the proper operating cycle for properly transcribing the dictation, this is accomplished by providing a time delay between the starting of the device and that required to bring it up to proper speed. When the dictator stops talking, the transcribing cylinder continues to receive the message for a period equal to the starting delay. It is also intended as one of the objects to provide an. apparatus which may be operated and dictated to remotely from several points. A further object of the apparatus is to provide means for returning the recording and reproducing parts of the device at high speed.

Other objects will become apparent as the invention is more fully set forth.

The characteristics of conventional phonographic recordings using cylinders v for commercial purposes are well known and outlined 20 in the catalogs of the concerns that manufacture them. They are not deemed to require detailed explanation in this application. Howeverthe existing equipment in this line, do not provide the features'emphasized in this invention. This invention provides an automatic system for starting the device, when the user begins to dictate. All the speech for recording is transmitted even though a time interval is required, between the time the talking is started and the attainment of speed of the cylinder shell appropriate for the recording. Allowance is made for the inertia of the device. The recording shell used avoids the shaving, universally required for use in the commercial make of device. It is made of material that is relatively non-breakable and susceptible for use on expanding mandrels. Gravity is avoided as a pressure element for press- ,ing the stylus against the face of the cylinder for recording the message, by employment of a more positive spring or magnetic tension device operating at any angle on the cylinder.

In the drawings which illustrate a form of this invention:

Figure 1 is a side elevation in perspective of a recording and reproducing device embodying the invention indicated herein,

Figure 2 is a plan view of the device ,with the cover removed,

Figure 8 is a sectional plan view looking into the mechanism taken along line 3-3- of Figure 4.

Figure 4 is a section view taken along line 4-4 of Figure 3, l

Figure 5 is asectional view taken along line 5-8 of Figure 3,

Figure 6 is a sectional view taken along line H of Figure 2,

Figure 'l is a sectional view taken along line 1-1 of Figure 4,

Figure 8 is a side elevation of the expanding mandrel, with the expanding cover and cylinder removed,

Figure 9 is an end view of Figure 8,

Figure 10 is a sectional elevation taken along line lO-Il of Figure 8, with the expanding cover and cylinder in section, and

Figure 11 is a diagrammatic wiring diagram, Figure 12 is a plan view of the telephone attachment,

Figure 13 is a side elevation of Figure 12,

Figure 14 is a view of the under side which is placed against the ear of the user, and

Figure 15 is a sectional view taken along line I5--I5 of Figure 12.

Similar reference characters refer to similar parts throughout the drawings.

In the construction shown in the drawings, Il represents a cabinet in which the phonographic recording and reproducing mechanisms are installed. The structure of the cabinet is compact and designed to produce practical features in the equipment to facilitate its use, functions and operatlon. It is recessed at It to allow the platen 4| for a recording cylinder II used in this form of invention'to flt below the plane level Is where the enscribing surface US will be out of the way, visually and physically. The end of the recess It is closed by a hinged door II attached to the end wall III of the cabinet. The cover of the cabinet is preferably hinged to open upwardly,

41. The collar 44 is provided with a lateral circular shoulder 4 held to the shaft ll by a set screw ll. After the cylinder or shell is mounted on the mandrel. the latter is expanded later'ally by turn- I Y cylinder 8 made of plastic (such as Tenite or an acetate in sheeting or molded form), that can be ironed out to a smooth surface when a suitably heated ironing device is impressed thereon. This ironing out is for the purpose of smoothing out the transcribed grooves made by the stylus when recording the speech conveyed from its recording head, It. The recording stylus needle creates the impression in the surface of the plastic I1 and leaves recording grooves II therein until the operator removes them with the ironer. The ironer consists of a metal roller ll supported on brackets 31 which swings to a position, where it contacts the cylinder. The brackets 81 are journalled to the cabinet by support 52. The roll It is heated by an internal electrical heating coil 53. This mechanism is preferably operated manually. The ironer is operated and rotated as the cylinder is rotated with the mandrel. The rolling of the surfaces of the heated roll, and the face of the cylinder against each other softens up the recorded impressions and removes them by melting and pressing them away to a smooth surface, leaving the cylinder ready for further recordings. The ironing eliminates any necessity for and in closing to rest over the operable parts of the device in the cabinet. The cabinet is'provided with a glass window 2| through which a correction card 22 and marking device 23 can be seen. The correction device is electrically operated and its markings 24 on the removable card 22 convey the necessary notes and instructions intended for into a frame it. The interior of the cabinet has a compartment 21 for housing the electronic amplifying equipment It and another compartment II for housing the motor and other incidental apparatus. The cabinet is provided with a base It removably attached to permitaccess to these compartments and support the amplifying unit. The side wall it of the recess it is slotted at I! to allow the recording and reproducing heads I! and 34 respectively to project into the recess space from the main compartment of the casing. The side wall It is provided with openings it through which brackets 31 that support the ironing roller ll extend. The ironing roller is raised and lowered by a lever 3! attached to shaft I and pivoted to the cabinet and projects through a hole 40 in the wall II. The cylinder I1 is supported on a flexible sleeve II which is expanded or contracted concentrically by expanding the mandrel 42. The latter is provided with slots ll cut radially d arrangedsothernandrelwilltendtoexpand when the wedging collars 44 and ll are brought together through the action of the right and left hand threads 48 when rotated surface shaving of the cylinder/and is much speedier in'action and less costly than other methods. It will be noticed that the cylinder has a relatively thin wall that gives it flexibility and lightness; when placed on the mandrel it is below the plane surface I. of the cabinet. Likewise the ironer is out of the way when moved out of operation. The recording stylus head 88 and the reproducing head it are operated independently of each other, so that when one is in contact with the cylinder surface the other is not, as indicated through the use of a double throw switch having a neutral position to disconnect same completely when not required. They are however mounted together on a common carriage holder It and hung loosely on hinges II with delicate springs IO and '1 respectively suspending them away from the cylinder surface.

when not in operating position. They are placed close to the external surface of the cylinder, but out of contact with same. When the recording stylus "is to be placed against the cylinder, its electromagnet BI is energized by its circuit I20 and Ill and attracts the armature I'll mounted on the recording head. The magnetic pulling on the armature induces the recording head to bend down and overcome the tension of the spring II and make its stylus contact the cylinder surface and through its circuits I12 and I18 to scribe its recording thereon. When it is desired to use the reproducing head it for playing-back the recorded message, its electromagnet It is energised by its circuits Ill and Ill and attracts the armsture "I mounted on the reproducing head, causing same to bend down and overcome the tension of the spring II. This makes the reproducer stylus contact the surface of the cylinder and through its circuits I12 and I" play from said surface the message contained thereon. The supporting head holder I4 is slidably mounted on a bar II which is attached tothe walls of the b'yhnob cabinetonsupports ll heldby screws 02. The

bar 88 is of insulating material and mounts a common bus bar I88 for conducting current to I the common lead of both heads. The bus bars I28 and 8am connected to the headsfor con- V ducting electrical energy to the recording head 38 and reproducing head 84 respectively.- The head holder 84 also supports electromagnetic devices 88 and 81 which draw the pending arm 88 to make contact with the feed screw 88 and return screw 18 alternately. The screw 88 moves recording and reproducing heads across the face of the cylinder to record or reproduce the notations therefrom. The return screw 18 is used to quickly return the heads to their starting position. Springs 1I keep the arm 88 neutral and out of contact with the lead screws when the electromagnets 88 and 81 are not energized. The holder 84 is provided with a shelf 12 to support electromagnets 18 and 14 for moving the marking device 28 over a card 22 andplacing-the markings 24 thereon. The card is supported on a shelf 28 which is provided with an electrical contact 18. The platen H. and cylinder I1 are operated by a motor 18- attached to the bearing I18 on the side wall and is cushioned by part 11 to prevent motor noises from being recorded'on the cylinder. The platen is started and stopped by clutch 18 which is operated by electromagnet 18, arm 88. When the clutch is disengaged the slidable portion of the clutch contacts brake 8| which stops the platen from rotating. The feed screw 88 and return screw 18 are supported in bracket I18 attached to wall H8 and are alternately operated from the drive shaft by gears 82 v and 83 respectively. Theamplifying unit 28 is equipped with a switching microphone 84, loudspeaker 88, and volume control 86. 'An attachment unit 81 for picking up both sides of a telephone conversation for recording on the cylinder is also attached to the amplifying unit 28.

In the operation of the device the main manual switch 88 is closed and through its circuits I and I18 provides electric current to operate the various apparatus connected with this device including the amplifier 28 through the circuits connected therewith. Switch 92 is then closed and starts motor 16, which in turn operates the feed and return screws 88 and 18 respectively. The screws move the carriage holder 54 in the slot 82 in the recess wall. Switch 83 is then closed and its circuits Ill and I34 operates electromagnet 18, which attracts the arm 88 and moves the clutch 18 causing the platen with the cylincler I1 to rotate. When the clutch 18 is disengag'ed it contacts brake 3i which stops the platen. The switch 84 is then closed and its circuits I28 and I48 cause the energizing of the microphone 84. The switch 85 controls the circuits H8 and I8I to the electromagnet 88 which causes pending arm 88 to threadably contact the feed screw 83 and move the carriage holder 54 in the slot 32 for transcribing. The switch 88 is then closed and through circuits I28 and ISI operates the electromagnet 58 .which in turn induces the recording head 83 with its stylus to press against .the cylinder I1 and create various markings 8| th same manner.

to the electromagnet 18 causes the needle 23 to vibrate and hit the paper and are dottedly as it moves a short distance. When the switch 88 is closed at the end of the letter and its circuits I23 and I54 causes the electromagnet 14 to move the needle 23 a greater travel and thus mark the card by passing an electric current through it in Each cylinder is preferably provided with a separate card for corrections to be noted by the transcriber. To return the carriage to its starting point, switches 85, 88, 98 and 98 are opened. Switch I88 is. then closed energizing through circuits I24 and I8I the electromagnet 81 and brings-the arm 88 into contact with the screw 18 which in its rotation returns the carriage 54 to its normal starting place in the slot 32, the switch I88 is opened at this point. Switch is closed bringing the arm 88 into relation with the feed screw 88 and moves the reproducing head in the slot 82. Switch I8I is closed and through its circuit I21 energizes the loud speaker 88. Switch I82 is closed and through its circuits I28 and I88 closes the electromagnet 58 which causes the reproducing head 34 and its point I18 to contact the face of the cylinder and play back the dictation transcribed thereon over circuits I12 and I14. When it is desired to record a telephone conversation without physically or mechanically disturbing the telephone connections a unit 81'is placed against the conventional telephone ear piece ,I83 and held in position by spring clamps I84. The unit 81 houses a microphone I88 in its case I8I and is provided with passages I82 to allow the person to hear the incoming message at the same time it is passing through passages I83 to the microphone I88 and transferred over circuit I28 to the cylinder -I1. Holes I88 in the walls of the unit allow a conversation being sent over the telephone to be recorded also. Switch I88 connects the microphone attachment unit to the recording device. Switch I81 connects the heating element 83 in the ironer 88 as it is moved towards the face of the cylinder I1 by lever 38. The volume control 88 through its circuit I28 regu1ates the amount of power for recording or reproducing the dictation.

'The recording and reproducing heads work in a conventional manner in making impressions on the cylinder and transmitting the reproduction of same. In order to start the device by the sound of the dictators voice, and have it stop when he stops talking, ther is provided a method of entrapping the words spoken until the equipment has attained its proper speed and is in operable condition to record the message. When this phase of the cycle is reached the words are impressed on the face of the cylinder and continue to be so recorded after the speaker stops talking until the full message is recorded. This is accomplished preferably by inserting induction coils.

.and switch I88. The closing ofthese circuits starts the motor 18, closes the clutch 18 and rota es the cylinder I1, closes theclectromagnet 88 which brings the arm 88 into contact with feed screw 88 moving the carriage I54 in slot 32 and pulls the recorder stylus into recording position on the face of the cylinder I1, ready to receive the the opening of the circuits I II and I32 and disconnecting the motorand other circuit as soon as the dictator stops talking. This delay action allows the cylinder to rotate long enough to receive the full message before its power is turned off. Any interruption in the operators speaking for a period of time longer than that allowed by the setting of the dash-pot at that time, will cause the sound switch to open the motor and other circuits-above mentioned and stop the motor and other apparatus. The process of starting the recording is repeated in the same manner when again required. In the meantime all circuits are disconnected, and waste of energy avoided. The reversal of the process to produce the reproduction is done through manual operation of the switches concerned.

While but one general form of the invention is shown in the drawings and described in the speciiications, it is not desired to limit this application for patent to this particular form or in any other way otherwise than limited by the scope thereof, as it is appreciated that other forms of construction could be made that would use the same principles and come within the scope of the appended claims.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed is:

l. A device of the class described comprising in combination, a cabinet, a recording and reproducing phonographic mechanism in the cabinet, a recording cylinder rotatable in the cabinet cooperating with said mechanism for transcribing 'the cylinder for additional recordings attached to the cabinet and arranged for connecting and disconnecting contact-with the cylinder.

2. A device of the class described comprising in combination, a cabinet, a mechanical electrical recording and reproducing phonographic mechanism in the cabinet, a thermoplastic recording cylinder rotatable in the cabinet cooperating with said mechanisnufor transcribing and'reproducing recordings sonoriflcally, motive means for operating the said mechanisms and cylinder, mechanical'means operable by sound waves for inducing the last mentioned means to start operating an ironing mechanism for renewing the surface of the cylinder for additional recordings, and a heater for heating the ironing mechanism to facilitate the renewal of the cylinder surface thereby, connected with said last mentioned mechanism.

3. A device of the class described comprising in combination, a cabinet, a mechanical electrinisms, and electrical circuitsland switches for connecting the mechanisms and means for operating same in predetermined'sequence.

operating, a heater for heating the ironing mechanism to facilitate the renewal of the cylinder surface thereby, connected with said last mentioned mechanism, partitions and walls in the'cabinet for supporting and enclosing the cyl-v inder, means and mechanisms aforesaid, and keeping same within predetermined limits therein, and remote control for operating the said means and mechanisms.

4. A device of the class described comprising in combination, a cabinet, a mechanical electrical recording and reproducing phonographic mechanism inthe cabinet,. a thermoplastic recording cylinder rotatable in the cabinet cooperating with said mechanism for transcribing. and reproducing recordings sonoriiically, motive means for operating said mechanisms and cylinder, mechanical means operable by sound waves for inducing the last mentioned means to start oper-- ating, an ironing mechanism connected with the said recording cylinder and adapted to be brought into pressure contact therewith, a heater for heating the ironing mechanism to facilitate the renewal 'of the cylinder surface thereby, connected with said last mentioned mechanism, partitions and walls in the cabinet forsupportlng and enclosing the cylinder, means and mechanisms aforesaid, and keeping same within predetermined limits therein, electrical remote control for operating the said means and mecha- 5. A device of the class described comprising in combination, a cabinet, a mechanical electrical recording and reproducing phonographic mechanism in the cabinet, a-thermoplastic recording cylinder rotatable in the cabinet cooperating with said mechanism for transcribing and reproducing recordings sonoriilcally, motive means for operating said mechanisms and cylinder, mechanical means operable'by sound waves for inducing the last mentioned means to start operating, an ironing mechanism connected with the said recording cylinder 'and adapted to be brought into pressure contact therewith, a heater for heating the ironing mechanism to facilitate the renewal of the cylinder suriace thereby, connected with said last mentioned mechanism, partitions and walls in the cabinet for supporting and enclosing the cylinder, means and mechanisms aforesaid, and keeping some within predetermined limits therein. electrical remote con- .trol for operating the said means and mechaconnecting the mechanisms and means for opcal recording and reproducing phonographic' mechanism in the cabinet, a thermoplastic recording cylinderrotatable in the cabinet cooperating with said mechanism for transcribing and reproducing recordings sonoriilcaily, motive means for operating said mechanisms and cylinder, mechanical means operable by sound waves crating same in predetermined sequence, and arm elements and feed and return screws operahly mounted in the cabinet and connected with the recording and reproducing mechanism for carrying the latter back and forth over the said cylinder.

6. 'A device of the class described comprising in combination, a cabinet, a mechanical electrical recording and reproducing phonographic mechanism in the cabinet, a therrnoplastic recording,

cylinder rotatable in the cabinet cooperating with said mechanism for transcribing and reproducing recordings sonorifically, motive means for operating said mechanisms and cylinder, me-

chanical means operable by sound waves for in-' ducing the last mentioned means to start operating, an ironing mechanism connected with the said recording cylinder and adapted to be for inducing the last mentioned means to start 7; brought into pressure t for heating the ironing mechanism to facilitate the renewal of the cylinder surface thereby, connected with said last mentioned mechanism, partitions and walls in the cabinet for supporting and enclosing the cylinder, means and mechanisms aforesaid, and keeping same within predetermined limits therein, electrical remote control for operating the said means and mechanisms, and electrical circuits and switches for connecting the mechanisms and means for operating same in predetermined sequence, and arm elements and feed and return screws operably mounted in the cabinet and connected with the recording and reproducing mechanism for carrying the latter back and forth over the said cylinder, and means connected with the recording and reproducing mechanisms for plural attachment to external devices producing audible signals for recording or reproduction.

7. In combination with a dictaphonic machine, a plastic recording means mounted within the machine and adapted to travel predeterminedly to receive and transmit. verbiage dictated thereto, a carrier for said means'actuated within the machine, and an ironing device moveably attached to the machine for impressing the said means and renewing the surface of the cylinder without removing material therefrom for additional recordings.

8. In combination with a dictaphonic machine, a plastic recording means mounted within the machine and adapted to travel predeterminedly to receive .and transmit verbiage dictated thereto, a carrier for said means actuated within the machine, a heated ironing device movably attached to the machine for impressin the said means and renewing the surface of the cylinder for the reception of additional recordlugs, and a sound operated arrangement for automatically operating the means when the user starts dictating thereto.

9. In combination with a dictaphonic maautomatically operating the means when the user starts dictating thereto, remote control for controlling the operation of the said means, and

means for conveying sounds for recording from various locations separate from each other.

10. In combination with a dictaphonic machine, a plastic recording means mounted within the machine and adapted to travel predeterminedly to receive and transmit verbiage dictated thereto, a carrier for said means actuated within the machine, a heated ironing device moveably attached to the machine for impressing the said means and renewing the surface of the cylinder for the reception of additional recordings, and a sound operated arrangement for automatically operating the means when the .user starts dictating thereto, remote control for controlling the operation of the-said means, and

means for conveying sounds for recording from various locations separate from each other, and a plurality of electrical circuits, switches, magnetic devices and mechanisms for operating the parts of the said machine in predetermined sequence operable by said control, a

11. In combination with a dictaphonic machine, a plastic recording means mounted within the machine and adapted to travel predeterminedly to receive and transmit-verbiage dictated thereto. a carrier for said means actuated within the machine, a heated ironing device moveably attached to the machine for impressing the. said means and renewlngthe surface of the cylinder for the reception of additional recordings, anda sound operated arrangement for automatically operating the means when the user starts dictating thereto, remote control for controlling the operation of the said means and 40 means for conveying sounds for recording from chine, a plastic recording means mounted within the machine and adapted to travel predeter minedly to receive and transmit verbiage dictated thereto, a carrier for said means actuated within the machine, a heated ironing device moveably attached to the machine for impressin! the said means and renewing the swim or various locations separate from each other, and a plurality of electrical circuits, switches, magnetic devices and mechanisms for operating the 1 parts of the said machine in predetermined sequence operably by said control, and a correction means for electrically noting changes to be made on the recording means by a transcriber listening to the recordings'of the machine.

GERARD A. HARRINGTON. 

